?The
Babies? are Harley?s beloved hyena pets and can usually be found not too
far from where she is, ready in a snap to defend their ?Mommy? from danger,
or provide her with much needed love.

Named ?Bud? and ?Lou? after classic comedians Bud Abbot and Lou Costello,
the Babies are spotted hyenas, a species well known for their incredible
intelligence and community-minded organisation.

Spotted hyenas are fascinating animals ? they hunt in well coordinated packs,
with sophisticated ways of communicating with each other. They are a matriarchal
species and the dominant female has a clitoris that grows in size and shape
to resemble a penis. A female hyena, because of the shape of her genitalia,
can also choose whether or not she wants to mate ? a male cannot force her.
Spotted hyenas can also devour every part of an animal, including the bone!
Though hyenas have suffered a bad reputation over the years, having been
associated with cunning, deceptiveness, sneakery and theft, it?s now believed
they have intelligence approaching primate levels. It is also spotted hyenas
who make the famous ?laughing? sound, making them a perfect choice of pet
for our two demented Clowns.

Combined with the Joker and Harley, the Babies complete their twisted family
unit, serving as the couple?s surrogate ?kids?. Although they are ideal for
providing protection, being both a pack animal and immensely powerful carnivores,
the Babies seem more often to provide companionship to Joker and Harley.

They first appear in The Man Who Killed Batman, flanking Joker as
he sits on his throne. It?s interesting to note they are lying down and relaxed
here, only sitting up when Joker moves. Later on, in Harley and Ivy,
the Babies? role is confined to that of pets although it is demonstrated
that Harley is their primary caretaker, being the one who feeds them. Nonetheless,
Joker is astonished that they snap at him and, indeed, the way they respond
to him in other episodes indicates there is a bond there. Even when Harley
is not around, Joker engages with them ? for example, in Joker?s Millions,
they greet him with wagging tales and he takes them with him to the Iceberg,
where they run amok and enjoy fine food.
Although it?s doubtful Joker has a true emotional attachment to them, he
definitely seems to regard them as a part of his life.

However, their deepest bond is most definitely with Harley. She openly and
ardently adores them, as they do her. The trust between them is absolute
and they follow her every command immediately, as well as following her around
and pawing at her lovingly. It?s also of note that Joker never commands
them to do anything, although he interacts with them. That domain seems to
be Harley?s. It is by Harley?s side they are most often found and the three
clearly rely and care for each other. One can even supposition that since
spotted hyenas live in matriarchal packs, they view Harley as the ?pack leader?
as opposed to the Joker.

The Babies, of course, serve the role of ?dogs?, or ?fur kids?, rounding
out the twisted parody Joker and Harley do of typical relationships. The
Babies are not merely guards and protectors, but pets to Joker and Harley.
Hyenas are wild animals who hunt as a way of life ? to watch Joker and Harley
interact with them as though they are simply dogs, trusting and training
them easily, is hilarious and adds the final touch to their dysfunctional
relationship.